| Sumario: | Background/Objectives: Human nutritional requirements are closely linked to energy expenditure, which depends on daily and occupational activities. Studies on groups performing tasks requiring increased physical effort may support determining their energy and nutritional needs. The study population consisted of soldiers performing a wide range of tasks domestically and during missions abroad, whose physical effort may be comparable to that of athletes in demanding sports disciplines. The aims of this study were (1) to assess the energy expenditure of soldiers performing training tasks in two different special forces units, as a basis for evaluating the physical demands of their work; (2) to evaluate the daily energy expenditure value as a basis for planning the energy and nutritional value of the daily food ration, as well as to develop a proposal for a nutritional standard dedicated to collective feeding in special forces units. Methods: The study included soldiers from the Special Unit "GROM" and from the Special Branch of the Military Police (MP). Energy expenditure was measured using heart rate monitoring and analysis of heart rate variability. Results: The average daily energy expenditure related to field training was 4175 ± 723.7 kcal for GROM soldiers and 5014.8 ± 666.3 kcal for soldiers of MP. Conclusions: To ensure safe and adequate nutrition for special forces soldiers, the energy value of the daily food ration—after applying a 5–10% safety margin—should be no less than 4400 kcal. Considering the significant increase in energy expenditure during intense training, the average value of this increase was determined to be approximately 500 kcal. It was proposed to increase the energy value of the daily food ration by 500 kcal. Based on the findings, nutritional requirements were determined as a proposal for a basic nutritional standard for soldiers of Polish special units.
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